The heel prick test
Between 72 and 168 hours after the birth — so from the fourth day — a few drops of blood are taken from your baby’s heel. The blood is tested for a number of rare but serious conditions. Almost all of them can be treated well, provided treatment starts early. That is exactly why the test is done so soon after the birth.
How it works
A screening nurse comes to your home. The prick takes a moment and most babies cry briefly. It helps to hold your baby close, or to feed during the prick. The drops of blood are collected on a card and sent to the laboratory.
The result
No news is good news: if nothing is found, you hear nothing. That normally takes about four weeks. If something is found, you are contacted quickly — usually within a few days — by your family doctor or by the paediatrician.
The hearing test
The hearing test is usually done during the same visit. You can read more about it on the hearing test page.